Looking to the future?
by IgnatiusJReilly on Oct 27, 2008 12:56 PM EDT
8 comments
Unless something dramatic happens, and, by dramatic, I mean this putrid team suddenly becoming competent, Mikey, Marvin, and our Keystone Draft Squad will be looking at one of the top three picks in the 2009 draft. Here are a few possibilities for that pick- and lets hope to god that a trade gives us more than one in the first round:
If there's a consensus number one floating around in the various 2009 mocks, it's Ole Miss offensive tackle, Michael Oher. The 6-5, 320lb. Oher(pictured above) is a force to be reckoned with, clearing the way for an otherwise inept Rebel offense to produce a 1000 yard rusher each of the past two years(BenJarvus Green-Ellis) and keeping new stud QB, Jevan Sneed clean this season. Running close second at this position are Virginia's Eugene Monroe(6-6, 315) and Alabama's Andre Smith(6-4, 340). One notch below- and therefore perhaps available in round two allowing us to go another way at one- are two LSU Tigers, Ciron Black(6-5 320) and Herman Johnson(6-7 360), who's actually a guard but can play either.
Perhaps the most intriguing, given our need, offensive lineman that we might consider with our first pick is Cal center, Alex Mack(6-3 320). If there is such a thing as a stud center, Mack(above) is it, and he very well may be, pound for pound, the best O-Lineman in this draft. It would just seem kind of wrong to make a center the first overall pick in the draft- if that's what we're looking at but maybe that's just the kid in me reacting to much needed socks and underwear under the christmas tree instead of that PlayStation.
On the defensive side of the ball, the glamour picks belong to middle linebackers James Laurinaitis, who we all know, and to USC's Rey Maulauga(6-2 260). If I had to choose between the two, I'd probably go with Laurinaitis, who, while not as flashy as Maulauga, is about as instinctual and sideline to sideline dependable as they come. Maulauga's previous relationship with former Trojan, Keith Rivers might factor in here also. But, since our linebackers, with Rivers' return, seem to be in pretty decent shape- or in decent enough to not have to go with one this high, it would probably be better to go with upgrading our multimillion dollar lack of pass rush.
For this, Georgia Tech's DE, Michael Johnson(6-7 260). Johnson(above) is Jevon Kearse but, perhaps, even faster. He'll need some seasoning to be an every down player but could actually give us a legitimate threat on the edge. My personal favorite- because bigger is better is Alabama NT, Terrence Cody(6-5 370). You talk about jamming the middle, tying up two linemen at a time, the behemoth Cody(below) is the man. Others that figure in to the conversation; Ole Miss end, Greg Hardy(6-4 265), South Florida's George Selvie(6-4, 255), and Brian Orakpo(6-4 260) from Texas. 
Of course, lovers of aesthetics will gravitate towards Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree(6-3 220), who's this year's Andre Johnson- you'll remember him from yesterday, grimace...And, in the just in case category, the just in case the gimpy wheeled, tragically immobile and, now, bum-winged Carson Palmer is really through category, there's Georgia QB, Matt Stafford(6-3 235) or at least a good quality backup like Texas Tech's Graham Harrell.
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Oher is a beast
I say we go OT in the first round (hopefully Oher), ILB in the 2nd round, and then RB and C in the 3rd round (I think we’ll get another 3rd rounder from the free agents we lost last off-season). This is of course subject to change based on which players are available at the time. Signing a veteran center in the off season to supplement the 3rd round pick would also be ideal because i’d scrap our entire center crop and start new.
by CincyMike56 on Oct 27, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Somewhere, maybe the radio, I heard something that got me thinking. If we decided to go with Bobbie Williams at center, that would allow Stacy to go to a position that I think would be more natural to him, guard, along with Whit. If we then brought an Oher in to put at right tackle and Anthony Collins was installed at left, we could send Levi somewhere actually blocking your man isn’t required. We could even pick up the behemoth Herman Johnson in a later round. I do know that this lineup wouldn’t work with the diminutive Fitz in the pocket. With two 6-7" guards, he wouldn’t be able to see anything.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Oct 27, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dreamin'
All this is good fodder for the future, but these guys won’t be playing until 2011 or later thats just the way Bengals do things. 38 years of this SHIT (owning season tix’s) is enough for me. If Mike Singletary is coach I’ll stay !!!!
First row upper level North end zone (4) seats are 4sale
by emdrr on Oct 27, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nobody is worth a top-5 pick in this upcoming draft class...
This year is about the worst year to even sniff a top-five pick, as there really is no sure shot, immediate impact talent worth the money.
The Bengals do not need WR so Crabtree would be a stupid pick.
No QBs are worth a top 5 pick, espcially not that bum Stafford from Georgia.
I would not spend top-5 money on a LB or DT. (Lauranitis is smelling more and more like a bust these days anyway and Cody might need to lose some weight).
As such, I propose the Bengals sandbag if they get a top-5 pick, aka the “Mike Tice.” In short, don’t pick until after the top 5. Just let the time run out and let the rest of crappy teams get saddled with a player that is not worth the money. Then, argue that the player you select is technically not a top-5 pick and let the lug hold out. Players these days all hold out anyway, greedy bastards.
Stupid strategy? Probably. But I’d rather have a top-10 bust than a top-5 bust. I’m so pissed off after that joke of a game on Sunday I don’t even know what I’m typing anymore.
"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius
by TarZander on Oct 27, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nobody....
….in their right mind, knowing anything at all about the Bengals organization is going to want to come here! Does what Peyton Manning did when he was drafted ring a bell with anyone? If I were any of the above mentioned stud-puppies, I’d feign an injury or change my name & address after the season was over and go into hiding if I thought for one moment Cincy was interested in my services. It’s the kiss of death just to be connected with and to have your name associated with the likes of Mike Brown and family and this sorry excuse for a professional football team!
by sao402 on Oct 27, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maulauga is a beast… Maybe we’ll trade down for Philly’s two picks and grab him and Cushing. =)
by kirby28 on Oct 28, 2008 8:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Offensive Line
I tend to agree with CincyMike above. One of those stud lineman should be available to us. I think anyone could step into a starting role immediately. That would give us 2009 draft pick and possibly Collins as fresh blood. I am not sure how realistic it is to predict Williams at center—but its a possibility. I think Minnesota’s center is an FA this year, but I doubt he’ll leave.
A realistic second rounder might me Marcus Freeman. Overshadowed by Laurinaitis—but arguably a better deal for a second round pick.
by goffchile on Oct 28, 2008 10:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Two more centers to go with Mack
Jonathan Luigs(6-4 315) from Arkansas:
“2007: Rimington Trophy winner, First team All-SEC, Co-Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner (best lineman in the SEC).”
Kind of sums it up, huh? Best lineman, best center, best conference, etc.
and Max Unger(6-5 315) from Oregon:
“2007: Selected Oregon’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman (Ed Moshofsky Award) the second straight season, the first-team all-conference choice was chosen as a first-team All-American by SI.com. That was despite him making the transition from left tackle, where he had started the previous 25 consecutive games as a freshman and sophomore, to center, where he excelled in 13 starts as a junior…”
Which speaks to versatility and athleticism.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Nov 2, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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